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POSTED UNDER Porcelain Veneers REVIEWS

New Veneers Look Alright

ORIGINAL POST

I've spent the past 10 months working with a...

htmlkungaroo
$32,000
I've spent the past 10 months working with a cosmetic dentist to get my four front teeth redone (bad cosmetic work previously).

He's an Accredited AACD dentist and works with a really good ceramist.

But here's the problem.

I ended up doing 8 top and 8 lower after his recommendation. Prepless for all but the first 4. The prepless veneers were suppose to be thin and match the four, but they are thicker than I expected and don't really match the four. One of my incisors is an implant so they I'm guessing they had to do some other type of porcelain layering / press type work for the four. The prepless are done handstacked feldspathic.

If you look at the pictures you'll notice the incisors look nothing alike and one is grey and the other is too solid colored (monochromatic). Also one of the canines is flat on the edge.

Do you guys see this too?

I spent a lot of money and a lot of time (10 months going back and fourth from NYC and CA!) and this is what I have permanently in my mouth. I keep asking myself how and why did this happen? Trying to be positive here but 10 months of my life and $32,000 out of my pocket and I haven't smiled at all since I got these veneers.

Definitely think I made a bad decision to do more teeth based on the recommendation of my dentist now.

To sum it all up.
Front four veneers don't match other 12 prepless
Prepless veneers are thick
Incisors don't match (color or look)
One canine is flat
Some of the pre-molars are made poorly (you can't see these)
Some of the veneers are rough and don't seem glazed

Any one have similar problems like this? Any suggestions on what to do?
Any dentist have any suggestions?

I'll take all the advice I can get now. I'm just sick of going through this process and not being happy with my teeth. I thought the whole purpose was to get a beautiful smile you could be proud of.

Replies (8)

August 19, 2013
you teeth look great and natural, look like healthy teeth
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August 20, 2013
I don't see the color difference at all. Maybe it's the photo. $32,000 in dental work is a lot to spend and not be happy! I do think the canine teeth look uneven but it makes your smile look less like fake veneers and more like attractive natural teeth in my opinion. I wish my teeth looked that good.
September 10, 2013
I think your teeth look great and honestly, the fact that the canines don't match make your teeth more realistic. Do I think it was worth $32k? Hmm, not so sure about that, but I do think you shouldn't worry about smiling!
September 12, 2013
I ended having my veneers redone by another dentist after being completely unhappy with the color, size, shape and fit. I left the office so upset that I didn't even pay for the first veneers and the dentist didn't even charge me. Have you told the dentist that you are not happy? You can go to the dental board and request a peer review. I am now totally against veneers and in fact, one just fell off after only a few months. Ugh! I want to warn others to really reconsider before you do veneers. I have heard more negative stories than positive ones regarding veneers.
September 17, 2013
I am a ceramist, the guy behind the scenes that make the veneers and crowns. I'm going to tell you that your teeth indeed look bulbous, but in all honesty, prepless veneers have a tendency to do that. If you want a more natural, flat profile (without the bulge-like appearance) you need to go with veneers where your dentist will prep your teeth. basically, he needs to cut room into your teeth so that the ceramist can restore what he cut out, not add onto what you already have. All teeth are different, size, shape and position- so depending on what you want- the preparation could go from sloughing off the surface areas here and there to reducing into your natural teeth. In most cases, not all, from my experience making the veneers for 2 decades, reduction of the tooth surface is necessary to get you smiling and loving your veneers. hope that helps.
September 26, 2013
Agreed.
UPDATED FROM htmlkungaroo
2 years post

Turns out they were bad veneers!

htmlkungaroo
Ok so this doctor and his veneers ended up being really bad. They chipped and actually didn't look as good as I thought. He didn't replace anything and pretty much tried to say it was my fault that the bite was off.
I'm going to a really good doctor now that is disgusted by what the previous doctor put in my mouth.
I would only trust a prosthodontist going forward, not someone that is part of the AACD.

Replies (10)

November 25, 2015
Where are you going? Have you started your redo procedure?
November 30, 2015
Yes I have. I travel from NYC to Boston for my work at Boston Prosthodonistics. That's the name of the practice. Perhaps the best in the country after speaking to a number of dentist. It's pricey but worth it. I saw your review. It seems like you went to a bad dentist. I would have been weary if someone told me they could give me 6 veneers/crowns for $5000 total. I can tell you right now one single crown or veneer cost approximately 2500 so for you to have 6 done at 5k...says a lot about who's worked one your teeth. It's not just the dentist but also the ceramist. And I don't think your teeth are shorter than the right. The gum line is higher on one side causing that tooth to look longer. You could get a gum lift before your next procedure if you wanted but that also cost more money. My tip to you is go to a prosthodontist...talk to him about who he uses for his ceramic work (hopefully its one person he can name and not a lab). Whoever you go to next time to fix this, tell them what you like and don't like before hand. The temporaries should be very similar to the final teeth so make sure you like the look and feel and if you have any concerns tell him/her. Also mention your problems with the black triangles (I think you mentioned those). Last thing, don't expect to pay $5000 for quality work. For 6 teeth I would think you would have to pay 10-12k...maybe a little less if you're lucky but I wouldn't try to pinch pennies for dental work. You'll end up unhappy and having to redo it again (like the 5k you wasted to be unhappy now). I'm sorry you had to go through this. I've heard many stories like yours. I have a lot of my own, and I mean LOTS. There are a lot of bad dentists out there that want to take your money and run. Unfortunately they are not held accountable for their work. Please be careful. If anything, contact Valley Dental Arts and ask them for a few dental recommendations in your area. They have or had a highly qualified ceramist there that runs the place but I hear he doesn't even make teeth any more...but at least you know you'll be in better hands. The guy there is part of a group called Oral Design which includes some of the most competent dental ceramists in the world. Or come to Boston :)
November 30, 2015
Just read your entire review. It looks like you are getting the work redone. Thank goodness! And I just went to that doctors website. 1) She uses STOCK photos for her homepage, not actual clients. Red flag. 2) The before and after photos are hideous. Everything is cookie cutter square teeth. And if your teeth are bulky and the bite is off, that means she also uses a ceramist or some machine that doesn't really know what its doing. But the biggest red flag was the $5000 sticker price. I would have run out the door. That is too good to be true.

Please make sure whoever you go to does/did the following: did a full mouth check, took a lot of photos even during the consultation, tells you the procedure for taking off your veneers (it takes a lot of heat and water to get them off bc of the cement...doesnt hurt but timely and potentially causes more tooth structure to come off. Hopefully they can use a laser to get them off if they have that). And hopefully they show you temps before they even start removing your teeth (I know a lot of places wait until your teeth are removed before they do this)...then you can just look at the temps to see if you like them....then the temps are made and you can "try them on" ...and if you are happy, then permanents are made. Now I don't think all offices go through this really drawn out process because time is money. But you need to make sure you're happy. So whenever you get to the point where temporaries are shown to you or placed on your teeth, take time to review. Ask for additional time if you need (meaning go home with them if you want and come back another day). Any complains on color, size, feel, shape...need to be addressed before the permanents are made. My current dentist is trying to limit the amount of enamel taken off and they all get sad when they hear about the work done bc a lot of it was unnecessary. Hopefully your dentist feels the same. My last piece of advice. Don't go to someone that calls themselves a celebrity dentist or someone that is just a member of the AACD...that stuff means very little in my opinion. Some of the crappiest veneers I got was from a guy that wrote for the huffington post on dental stuff and had people on the cover of magazines. Just be really careful.
December 1, 2015
Thank You sooo much for your detailed information. Every bit is very helpful. Maybe you can check out my next prospective dentist? I will pm you her name...
What stage are you at in your redo? Will you be updating us with some photos?
December 1, 2015
:) I won't be posting any more reviews or photos on this website. I don't like how this website prevents me from sharing useful links that can help people like you and I. I also don't like how they profit off us without allowing us to help each other or actually offering real help. I have a real problem with the community managers such as the current one that likes to write dumb replies like "keep us posted!" ...that offers no help whatsoever. But I will respond to your PM :)
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December 1, 2015

I'm sorry to hear that you find my comments unhelpful. I'll relay your feedback to Customer Support.

December 2, 2015
Told you dkspaceguitar!
December 2, 2015
It is true what you say kungaroo. From what I can tell, the community members are just here to mediate conversations, so they don't get out of hand. I'm not sure any of them have any first-hand experience with this like you or I. It is only from those like yourself who have offered me any type of support. I will definately be sending you an email soon!
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December 2, 2015

Hi,

We want to clarify that community managers are here to help, offer support, and direct people to resources and other community members that would interest them.

We're sorry to hear you don't find their input helpful, but they are here to support the community. As such, the insults ("dumb replies") need to stop. RealSelf is a safe space where everyone is supported and should not be subjected to personal attacks.

Also, while it'd be impossible for every community manager to have had every procedure, many of them have either had a procedure themselves or are experienced in that area, so please give them a chance to show you how they can help.

If you have any specific feedback you want to share about community managers, or RealSelf in general, you're welcome to email our Community Support team. We read and respond to every message, so you will be heard.

Best regards,

Sharon

December 2, 2015